responseAbility: How rootAbility’s training course empowered me to be the change I want to see in the world

rootAbility implemented the first edition of the “Be a change maker: developing ResponseAbility for positive change’. The Training Course (TC) was funded by Erasmus+ and took place from 22-28 May in Bonn, Germany. 24 youth workers from eight different countries across Europe cam together to reflect on their concerns & passion, to discover their visions and to formulate their own ‘Good Actions’ for positive change. Three participants from the Green Office VU (Amsterdam) participated and were empowered to pave the way for positive changes in their organization. Curious how they experienced this week?

Marthe, GO manager:

The TC Bonn provided the necessary space to reflect on my work as a manager as well as my greater aspirations in life. For the first time I have contemplated about where I really want to go and formulated concrete actions to get there. In my day to day life, I have not found the space to question this. I often found myself being lived by situations – whether it is my work, studies, relationships, you name it. The TC in Bonn gave me the space to stand still for a moment and reflect. I drew up two lists: one of what I am doing, and one of what I wish to do. I am
now adjusting more accordingly to what I wish to do. This makes me both a happier person and a better manager to the GO.VU. As a result of the TC, I became more aware of the influence of my personality on my work for the Green Office, and on the team. I learned to become a better listener and a more patient person. My team noticed a change in the way I manage the Green Office since the TC. I am calmer and more deliberate.

Jerry, GO volunteer:

I felt like a better person somehow, just by being surrounded by so many passionate young people from around Europe who aim to make a change in their own field of expertise regarding different social issues,. Looking at their amazing faces, listening to their exciting stories, knowing about their achievements and failures together, it just makes me feel that I am not alone in what I am doing. I believe we could all relate to each other’s difficulties and challenges, as well as joy and honor brought about by what we are doing. This is what I call a sense of belonging. The TC helped me understand further and deeper my own identity and responsibility when it comes to the projects that I am working on, also within the Green Office context. I am now able to make more sense of what I am doing and what I want to do, which makes me more confident. I felt empowered to really make a huge difference all together. Participating in the ResponseAbility Training course, empowers you to embody the change you want to be, and eventually the change you want to bring about in your community.

Hanna, GO volunteer:

During the ResponsAbility Training Course, we got the unique chance to get to know people who think alike; people who care about global issues and the environment and who want to find solutions for big problems. It was a great adventure of self-discovery, diving into important topics such as leadership and sustainability. I saw everyone leaving the course with a great desire to bring about change in their personal lives and in the world. It really helped me to realized that I am not alone and that I CAN make a difference. I became more pro-active, got new and fresh ideas, I networked with people with the same interests and I learned more about becoming a leader. Every GO member can get something out of this cou
rse. We can all be the change we want to see in the world!

In 2017, rootAbility plans to make this TC available to 44 GO staff members, student interns and volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved and to make this TC available for your GO send an email to lukas.figge@rootability.com